Newsies (1992)

A musical based on the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. When young newspaper sellers are exploited beyond reason by their bosses they set out to enact change and are met by the ruthlessness of big business.

Director:

Kenny Ortega

Writers:

Bob Tzudiker, Noni White

Stars:

Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christian Bale	...	Jack Kelly
David Moscow	...	David Jacobs
Luke Edwards	...	Les Jacobs
Max Casella	...	Racetrack Higgins
Gabriel Damon	...	Spot Conlon
Marty Belafsky	...	Crutchy
Arvie Lowe Jr.	...	Boots
Aaron Lohr	...	Mush
Trey Parker	...	Kid Blink
Dee Caspary	...	Snitch
Joseph Conrad	...	Jake
Dominic Maldonado	...	Itey
Matthew Schoenfeld	...	Snipeshooter (as Matthew Fields)
Mark David	...	Specs
Ivan Dudynsky	...	Dutchy

Storyline

July, 1899: When Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise the distribution price one-tenth of a cent per paper, ten cents per hundred, the newsboys, poor enough already, are outraged. Inspired by the strike put on by the trolley workers, Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale) organizes a newsboys' strike. With David Jacobs (David Moscow) as the brains of the new union, and Jack as the voice, the weak and oppressed found the strength to band together and challenge the powerful.

---

Plot Keywords:

orphan | year 1899 | teenage boy | paperboy | based on true story | 

---

Taglines:

A Thousand Voices. A Single Dream.

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | History | Musical

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Newsboys

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,819,485

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchwood Pacific Partners 1,Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "King of New York" was written as an afterthought by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and became their favorite song in the movie.

---

Goofs

When Medda is sing "My Lovey-Dovey Baby" it show Les sitting by a man bouncing a puppet on his Leg. In the next shot, the man with the puppet sits down by Les.

---

Quotes

Joseph Pulitzer: Anyone who doesn't act in their own self interest is a fool.
David Jacobs: Then what does that make you?
Joseph Pulitzer: What?
Jack Kelly: Oh, this is my pal, Davey. The Walkin' Mouth.
David Jacobs: You talk about self-interest, but since the strike, your circulation's been down 70%. Everyday you're losing thousands of dollars just to beat us out of one lousy tenth of a cent. Why?
Jack Kelly: You see, it ain't about the money, Dave. It Joe gives in to nobodies like us, it means we got the power. And he can't do that, no matter what it costs.

---

Crazy Credits

During the closing credits, the names of the cast are divided in three groups billed as such: The Newsies, Friends of the Newsies and The Opposing Forces.

---

Alternate Versions

The featurettes on the DVD version of "Newsies", include at least two scenes that were altered in the final movie:

• On the soundtrack for "Newsies" during the song "Carrying The Banner" there is a line that goes, "You need a smile as sweet as butter, the kind that ladies can't resist. It takes an orphan, with a stutter, who ain't afraid to use his fists." This footage is also present during the song on one of the featurettes, however in the movie, this part is cut, leading straight to the scene where the boys jump over the barrels.
• During another featurette, one of the cast members mentions that Christian Bale had to learn an extra skill for his part and then there is footage of him with a lasso doing various tricks. This scene appears to be from the "Santa Fe" song, although it is not made clear.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Player/FernGully: The Last Rainforest/Newsies/The Puerto Rican Mambo/Edward II (1992)

---

Soundtracks

HIGH TIMES, HARD TIMES
Written by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Performed by Ann-Margret and the Newsies Ensemble

User Reviews

A Thousand Fans. One Great Film.

"Newsies" is one of the few Disney films that can be classified as 'great'. What makes it even more amazing is the fact that, although it's a Disney movie and based on actual events, it actually stays very close to what actually happened. (Who would've thought?) The movie has a very good script, great acting, and music that make even the biggest musical-hater tapping his/her feet. Add into this mix show-stopping choreography, humor, and some of the best actors and actresses you can find anywhere, and you will see why this movie has generated more fans than any other movie in history.